It will be an epic clash of two former finalists in Round Two of the SA Rugby Women’s First Division in George on Saturday, where the outcome could influence hosting rights for the play-offs later in the season. Elsewhere there will be action in Polokwane and Welkom.
Currie Cup First Division champions Sanlam Boland Kavaliers travel to Gqeberha for their second-round clash with Eastern Province on Saturday at the Wolfson Stadium, while Phangela SWD Eagles and Border Bulldogs will slug it out in George to see who can register their first win of the new campaign.
There can hardly be a better motivation for the Blitzboks and their haphazard season than winning the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco this weekend.
The Sharks Women will take on their southern neighbour, Border Ladies in Uvongo on Friday in what will be a crucial measure of their ambitions in this year’s SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division.
The Blue Bulls and Western Province claimed important wins while a resurgent Golden Lions side edged the hosts on day two of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
Springbok No 8 Evan Roos expected a physical battle against Wales on Saturday as the team kicks off their 2024 international season at Twickenham, saying the Welsh have a similar demeanour to South Africans in their approach to Test rugby.
The Springbok Sevens squad are keen to make their third opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics count and join their regular foes at the Rugby Sevens event in Paris.
Emirates Lions utility back Sanele Nohamba was rewarded for his great form of the past eight months when he was named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Season for his stellar performances at scrumhalf and flyhalf for the team from Johannesburg.
Rugby World Cup-winning prop Vincent Koch will earn his 50th Test cap on Saturday when the Springboks take on Wales at Twickenham in their first international since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in France in October last year as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named an exciting matchday 23 that will be captained by flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit and features four uncapped players.
Boland edged the Golden Lions while Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Sharks claimed valuable wins on day one of the Grant Khomo Week at Grey High School in Gqeberha.